getting car insurance in USA on TN

N

netb2b

Registered Users (C)
I bought my car in Canada and has an Ontario number plate, now I need to bring it here. Can I get car insurance in USA on TN visa status for the time period I stay here.

Also what is the procedure of getting US licence if I have a driver's licence from Canada and what if I don't have a licence. Do I need a SSN before applying?

Thanks.
 
which state you are in?

I know in VA, they can convert your license with ON.
You really don't need SSN for license in VA

if you get the insurance on ON plates (in my case I got it from GEICO, and then covert the plates a year later) the only restriction is that you need to get the US license within 30 days of your US insurance, thats the restriction from the insurance company. the law also says that you need to get the US plates if your stay is longer than 6 months.
 
I am in Maine State. So is it ok to get a car insurance from US on Ontario number plate if I stay not mor ethan six months? I can convert my licence later after getting insurance.
 
You need to check with your US INSURANCE broker.

There are 4 distinct processes that you have to account for

1. FEDERAL importation of your car. the FEDS (not the states) allow temporary importation of your automobile if you are planning to be in US for less than one year. This is NOT formal importation, which requires a manufacturer's letter and NTHSA compliance. Formal importation is required if you want to dispose of your car in US.

2. State registration/plating of your car. This varies from state to state. Some require federal importation, some don't. Some require registration within 10 days of arrival in the state (regardless of temporary visa status), some don't care.

3. Driver's license. Again, varies from state to state. All require you to get a state DL at some point. Some will take into account previous provincial DL to avoid need for driving exam. Some will take your Cdn DL in exchange for new state DL, some let you keep your old one. Most states now require SSN (or letter from SSA stating you are not entitled to SSN) to get DL. Some TD spouses have been shut out of DL for lack of SSA (IL, NJ come to mind).

4. Insuring your car. Most Cdn insurers will not cover you once you MOVE to US. Some will cover you if you convince them that you are in US temporarily, but you MUST notify them that you are going to be living in US. Some US insurers will insure your care even with Cdn plates, but will likely insist that the situation be rectified be renewal time (six months). Rates may not be that good for what they consider new drivers. Remember too, that without formally importing your ar, you will not be able to signover the car if you wreck it.

The ideal situation, even if you are absolutely sure that you are going to be in US for 1 year or less on TN is to (1) import your car formally on the way down. (2) Co-ordicate your insuarnce coverage, leaving your Cdn one and getting US one. (3-4) Based on the requirements of the Insuarance company and the local DMV regs, plate your car and get DL as soon as you can.

The goal is to avoid prolonged driving in US with Cdn DL, Cdn plates and/or Cdn insurance.
 
If I do all 4 steps and I got US DL, US plates, US insurance (I only now have US insurance since almost 1 year). What will happen when I will go back in Canada? Do I just have to bring my old Cdn plates for my car and that it?

I'm in WA state. They want me to do all tests/exams to have US DL. They need a form from the border (the border doesn't want to give it to me because my visa is for 1 year). I think to renew my visa now for at less a other year...but I want to keep my car and motorcycle with me...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I m not sure but what I think that when you ready to move back in Canada, you have to re-import your car in CAnada again.

I am saying this because when I register my car in VA they took the Canadian Registration card as well as Canadian plate ownership card from me.

So, now i don't have any Canadian paper shows about the car and the plates.

My guess is the car will be re-import at the Canadian border.

Also if somebody knows please advise, what if you plan to sell that Canadian vehicle in USA as its imported and already have US plates and insurance.
 
mel0526 said:
I'm in WA state. They want me to do all tests/exams to have US DL. They need a form from the border (the border doesn't want to give it to me because my visa is for 1 year). I think to renew my visa now for at less a other year...but I want to keep my car and motorcycle with me...
Click to expand...

WA State DOL is asking for your importation paperwork. If you haven't imported the car via Customs then they won't issue you a plate for it. Same with the motorcycle.
You can't just drive your car across the border and then hope to register it in the US. You need to IMPORT it at the border.
Some people have been fortunate in other states to get away with registering without importing but likely not since 9/11.
I suggest you Google US Customs and read up on what you need to do to officially import your car and bike.
 
Yeah I think a lot of information out there is given by people pre-Sept 11th when you didn't need to import the vehicals. I just drove my car across, got my DL in the middle of a DL kiosk in the mall, they took the old one, gave me my 8 year state one. The only thing I had to do to get tags was take my car to a foreign emssions tester who could test the car. Once that passed I got my state tags for the car.

Now just getting the DL seems to be a extreme hassle let alone bringing a car over in many states. I have noticed on other boards that the advice of people is that you don't need to worry as they never did, not taking into consideration that things have changed since many of us first came over.

For the DL as Nelson mentioned, you have to check with your state DMV. They should have a section on DL for TN or visa holders, also may have a section on importation of foreign vehicals and such. That's a good place to start to clear up some of your questions...
 
The problem is the mover was supposed to ask the paper for the importation when they go accross the border but the border officer told them that because my visa was for 1 year I didn't have to change it and they didn't bring me the paper...I have the manufacturers letters and I just have to find a custom officer to fill the custom papers to go at the DMV. When I call the office near where I leave they told me for 1 year they don't do anything also. Now, the year is almost done and I will renew for 1 year...I think they will still told me the same thing...:cool:

And my fear is when I will go back in Canada, do it will be an other big problem? Or if I will just have to show that my vehicules had plate there before? And that they come from Canada? :confused:
 
Shyboy:
I think if you sell your canadian car in the US after the importation...it will have a smaller value because of the kilometer odometer if at all you can sell it...But if you bring it back to Canada you have to import it again and have a inspection, I really don't know.
 
mel0526 said:
Shyboy:
I think if you sell your canadian car in the US after the importation...it will have a smaller value because of the kilometer odometer if at all you can sell it...But if you bring it back to Canada you have to import it again and have a inspection, I really don't know.
Click to expand...

This is what I have heard: You can sell the cdn car (after you import it) only after 1 year from the date you import the car.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top